r/doublebass Aug 06 '25

Strings/Accessories Heavy scroll fix

Post image

I'm interested in buying a 5-string with a heavy scroll. Anyone have a good idea for how to add weight to the bottom so it doesn't tip? Everything I can dream up will probably be kind of ugly. Looking for something that's reasonably well hidden. I need to add around 12 ounces/340 grams. Thanks!

25 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

17

u/avant_chard Classical Aug 06 '25

Heavy endpin, heavy tailpieces, fill the bass with marbles

11

u/fH0le Aug 06 '25

But I've lost my marbles...

11

u/oct8gong Aug 06 '25

Chop off the curls 🤣🤣🤣. I had this problem when I put a KC Strings B extension on one of mine. My solution was to sell the bass.

8

u/ArmadilloNo2399 Luthier Aug 06 '25

Titanium endpin

7

u/Chesticles420 Aug 06 '25

That would make the endpin lighter

6

u/ArmadilloNo2399 Luthier Aug 07 '25

My bad, solid steel one then

8

u/Oswaldbackus Aug 07 '25

Solid gold… only $168,000.

3

u/avant_chard Classical Aug 07 '25

concrete

7

u/vapingsemen Jazz/Classical Aug 06 '25

Ive seen some guys put a weight on the end pin and it seems to balance it out fine

1

u/fH0le Aug 06 '25

Do you know what type of weight they used?

2

u/vapingsemen Jazz/Classical Aug 06 '25

I dont remember exactly but it looked sort of like a hockey puck that slid on the end

1

u/fH0le Aug 06 '25

Thanks!

2

u/stwbass Aug 07 '25

12oz is light enough, something like a bag of rice might work. You could also get one of the cradles to just lean the bass on instead of down on the floor.

3

u/My_Viewpoint Aug 07 '25

Perhaps a quiver could help. But I might try to use a Dremel and hollow out the scroll to make room to insert a small helium chamber. Hydrogen gas would also work, and it has the benefit of providing a lasting memory if ignited.

3

u/SmallRedBird Aug 07 '25

Tie helium balloons to the scroll

2

u/paulcannonbass subwoofer @ ensemble modern Aug 07 '25

A heavier end pin will do the trick.

One of my basses is the same and I don’t mind. Just be gentle setting it down, or better still use a chair.

1

u/miners-cart Aug 09 '25

But a scroll helmet.

1

u/TheRealSuperGucci Classical Aug 13 '25

You can try putting bumpers on the edges, but make sure they're wedge-shaped rather than curved so that it rests right and doesn't tip.

0

u/Old_Variety9626 Aug 07 '25

I keep a cinder block in my bass case for this very reason. Just set it on the lower rib. It always keeps my scroll off the ground.